U.S. patent application number 11/200896 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-15 for fluid coupling with anti-rotation feature.
Invention is credited to Gary M. JR. Jenski, Martin M. Mann, William C. Marrison.
Application Number | 20070035128 11/200896 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37741911 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070035128 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mann; Martin M. ; et
al. |
February 15, 2007 |
Fluid coupling with anti-rotation feature
Abstract
A fluid coupling is provided that includes a first coupling
member including a body portion having a radially outwardly
extending polygonal-shaped protrusion. A second coupling member
includes a first stage adapted to connect the first coupling member
to the second coupling member, a second stage adapted to open the
second coupling member for fluid flow therethrough, and an inwardly
facing polygonal-shaped cavity sized to receive the
polygonal-shaped protrusion on the first coupling member when the
first and second members are connected to inhibit relative rotation
between the first and second coupling members.
Inventors: |
Mann; Martin M.; (Jackson,
MI) ; Marrison; William C.; (Jackson, MI) ;
Jenski; Gary M. JR.; (Jackson, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HONIGMAN MILLER SCHWARTZ & COHN LLP
38500 WOODWARD AVENUE
SUITE 100
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-5048
US
|
Family ID: |
37741911 |
Appl. No.: |
11/200896 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/308 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 37/38 20130101;
F16L 37/23 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/308 |
International
Class: |
F16L 37/00 20060101
F16L037/00 |
Claims
1. A fluid coupling, comprising: a first coupling member including
a body portion having a radially outwardly extending
polygonal-shaped protrusion; and a second coupling member including
a first stage adapted to connect the first coupling member to the
second coupling member, a second stage adapted to open the second
coupling member for fluid flow therethrough, and an inwardly facing
polygonal-shaped cavity sized to receive the polygonal-shaped
protrusion on the first coupling member when the first and second
members are connected to inhibit relative rotation between the
first and second coupling members.
2. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the first coupling member
includes a first opening communicating with a first axial
passageway and an axially extending valve member movable within the
axial passageway between a closed position and an open position,
the first valve member including a leading portion that extends
through the first opening when the valve member is in the closed
position.
3. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the polygonal-shaped
protrusion and the polygonal-shaped cavity are hexagonal in
shape.
4. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the first stage includes
a retainer sleeve positioned to be engaged and moved by the first
coupling member from a first position in which at least one locking
member is stowed to a second position in which the locking member
is deployed to connect the first coupling member to the second
coupling member, the retainer sleeve including a spring yieldingly
urging the retainer sleeve toward the first position.
5. The fluid coupling of claim 1, wherein the second coupling
member includes a body having a second axial passageway extending
along an axis from a receiving end to a trailing end, the receiving
end sized to receive the first coupling member body portion and
defining a second opening to the second axial passageway.
6. The fluid coupling of claim 5, wherein the polygonal-shaped
cavity is positioned within the second opening.
7. The fluid coupling of claim 5, further including a nut rotatably
connected to the body for axial movement thereon.
8. The fluid coupling of claim 7, wherein the second stage includes
a second valve member connected to the nut.
9. The fluid coupling of claim 8, wherein the first coupling member
includes a first valve member moveable within the first coupling
member between an open and a closed position, the second valve
member including a head engageable with the first valve member to
urge the first valve member toward the open position when the nut
is rotated in a first direction and to permit the first valve
member to be moved toward the closed position when the nut is
rotated in a second direction.
10. The fluid coupling of claim 8, wherein the second stage
includes a valve sleeve having a spring yieldingly urging the valve
sleeve into sealing engagement with the second valve member,
wherein the first coupling member body portion is adapted to
inhibit movement of the valve sleeve when the first coupling member
is connected to the second coupling member.
11. A fluid coupling, comprising: a first coupling member including
a body portion having a radially outwardly extending
polygonal-shaped protrusion, a first opening communicating with a
first axial passageway, and an axially extending valve member
movable within the axial passageway between a closed position and
an open position, the first valve member including a leading
portion that extends through the first opening when the valve
member is in the closed position; a second coupling member
including: a body having a second axial passageway extending along
an axis from a receiving end to a trailing end, the receiving end
sized to receive the first coupling member body portion and
defining a second opening to the second axial passageway; an
inwardly facing polygonal-shaped cavity sized to receive the
polygonal-shaped protrusion on the first coupling member when the
first and second members are connected to inhibit relative rotation
between the first and second coupling members; a retainer sleeve
positioned to be engaged and moved by the first coupling member
from a first position in which at least one locking member is
stowed toward a second position in which the locking member is
deployed to connect the first coupling member to the second
coupling member, the retainer sleeve including a spring yieldingly
urging the retainer sleeve toward the first position; a nut
rotatably connected to the body for axial movement thereon; a
second valve member connected to the nut and including a head
engageable with the first valve member to urge the first valve
member toward the open position when the nut is rotated in a first
direction and to permit the first valve member to be moved toward
the closed position when the nut is rotated in a second direction;
and a valve sleeve having a spring yieldingly urging the valve
sleeve into sealing engagement with the second valve member;
wherein the first coupling member body portion is adapted to
inhibit movement of the valve sleeve when the first coupling member
is connected to the second coupling member.
12. A female coupling member for use with a male coupling member
having a radially outwardly extending polygonal-shaped protrusion,
the female coupling member comprising: a first stage adapted to
connect the male coupling member to the female coupling member, a
second stage adapted to open the female coupling member for fluid
flow therethrough, and an inwardly facing polygonal-shaped cavity
sized to receive the polygonal-shaped protrusion on the male
coupling member when the male and female coupling members are
connected to inhibit relative rotation of the male and female
coupling members.
13. The female coupling member of claim 12, wherein the female
coupling member is further adapted for use with a male coupling
member that includes a first opening communicating with a first
axial passageway and an axially extending valve member movable
within the axial passageway between a closed position and an open
position, the first valve member including a leading portion that
extends through the first opening when the valve member is in the
closed position.
14. The female coupling member of claim 12, wherein the
polygonal-shaped protrusion and the polygonal-shaped cavity are
hexagonal in shape.
15. The female coupling member of claim 12, wherein the first stage
includes a retainer sleeve positioned to be engaged and moved by
the first coupling member from a first position in which at least
one locking member is stowed to a second position in which the
locking member is deployed to connect the male coupling member to
the female coupling member, the retainer sleeve including a spring
yieldingly urging the retainer sleeve toward the first
position.
16. The female coupling member of claim 12, wherein the female
coupling member includes a body having a second axial passageway
extending along an axis from a receiving end to a trailing end, the
receiving end sized to receive the male coupling member body
portion and defining a second opening to the second axial
passageway.
17. The female coupling member of claim 16, wherein the
polygonal-shaped cavity is positioned within the second
opening.
18. The female coupling member of claim 16, further including a nut
rotatably connected to the body for axial movement thereon.
19. The female coupling member of claim 18, wherein the second
stage includes a second valve member connected to the nut.
20. The female coupling member of claim 19, wherein the male
coupling member includes a first valve member moveable within the
male coupling member between an open and a closed position, the
second valve member including a head engageable with the first
valve member to urge the first valve member toward the open
position when the nut is rotated in a first direction and to permit
the first valve member to be moved toward the closed position when
the nut is rotated in a second direction.
21. The female coupling member of claim 19, wherein the second
stage includes a valve sleeve having a spring yieldingly urging the
valve sleeve into sealing engagement with the second valve member,
wherein the male coupling member body portion is adapted to inhibit
movement of the valve sleeve when the male coupling member is
connected to the female coupling member.
22. A female fluid coupling member for use with a male coupling
member having a radially outwardly extending polygonal-shaped
protrusion, a first opening communicating with a first axial
passageway, and an axially extending valve member movable within
the axial passageway between a closed position that closes the
opening and an open position, the female coupling member
comprising: a body having a second axial passageway extending along
an axis from a receiving end to a trailing end, the receiving end
sized to receive the male coupling member body portion and defining
a second opening to the second axial passageway; an inwardly facing
polygonal-shaped cavity sized to receive the polygonal-shaped
protrusion on the male coupling member when the male and female
coupling members are connected to inhibit relative rotation between
the male and female coupling members; a retainer sleeve positioned
to be engaged and moved by the male coupling member from a first
position in which at least one locking member is stowed toward a
second position in which the locking member is deployed to connect
the male coupling member to the female coupling member, the
retainer sleeve including a spring yieldingly urging the retainer
sleeve toward the first position; a nut rotatably connected to the
body for axial movement thereon; a second valve member connected to
the nut and including a head engageable with the first valve member
to urge the first valve member toward the open position when the
nut is rotated in a first direction and to permit the first valve
member to be moved toward the closed position when the nut is
rotated in a second direction; and a valve sleeve having a spring
yieldingly urging the valve sleeve into sealing engagement with the
second valve member; wherein the male coupling member body portion
is adapted to inhibit movement of the valve sleeve when the male
coupling member is connected to the female coupling member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a fluid coupling and to a
two-stage fluid coupling that includes an anti-rotation
feature.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are many applications where a fluid conveying system
requires that a connection be made between two components, such as
a between a hose and a pump, motor or valve. Recently,
push-to-connect style fluid couplings have become available that
operate to make this connection with little or no fluid loss. In
one such fluid coupling, the two mating coupling members are joined
in two stages--a first stage in which the mating coupling members
are physically connected and a second stage in which fluid flow
through the coupling is enabled. Commonly known as "two-stage"
couplings, these devices enable the coupling members to be
connected and then gradually opened to permit fluid flow
therethrough.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A fluid coupling is provided that includes a first coupling
member having a body portion with a radially outwardly extending
polygonal-shaped protrusion. A second coupling member includes a
first stage adapted to connect the first coupling member to the
second coupling member, a second stage adapted to open the second
coupling member for fluid flow therethrough, and an inwardly facing
polygonal-shaped cavity sized to receive the polygonal-shaped
protrusion on the first coupling member when the first and second
members are connected to inhibit relative rotation between the
first and second coupling members. Other aspects of the invention
will be apparent to those skilled in the art after review of the
drawings and detailed description provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way
of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of a
fluid coupling according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the fluid
coupling of FIG. 1 shown during insertion of a first coupling
member into a second coupling member;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the fluid
coupling of FIG. 1 showing the first and second coupling members
connected;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fluid coupling
of FIG. 1 showing the first and second coupling members connected
and opened to fluid flow;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an end view of a second coupling member according
to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 6 is partial cross-sectional view of a second coupling
member according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a fluid coupling 20 according to an
embodiment of the present invention is shown. In an embodiment,
fluid coupling 20 includes a first or male coupling member 22
having a body portion 24 with a radially outwardly extending
polygonal-shaped protrusion 26. In a particular configuration,
polygonal-shaped protrusion 26 is hexagonal in shape to enable the
protrusion to be engaged by a wrench or other tool for securing an
adapter portion 28 of first coupling member 22 to another fluid
conveying component (not shown).
[0014] First coupling member 22 also includes a first opening 30
communicating with a first axial passageway 32. An optional axially
extending valve member 34 is movable within axial passageway 32
between a closed position (see, e.g., FIG. 1), in which valve
member 34 is sealingly positioned within first opening 30 to
inhibit fluid flow through first coupling member 22, and an open
position (see, e.g., FIG. 4), in which fluid is free to flow
through first coupling member 22. In the illustrated embodiment,
valve member 34 is yieldingly urged toward the closed position by a
spring 36 and is axially guided between the closed and open
positions by a valve guide 38. The spring and valve guide
configuration for urging and guiding valve member 34 between the
closed and open positions is provided by way of example only, and
is not intended to be limited to that shown in the drawings and
described above.
[0015] In an embodiment, fluid coupling 20 also includes a second
or female coupling member 40 having a first stage adapted to
connect first coupling member 22 to second coupling member 40 while
second coupling member 40 is closed, and a second stage adapted to
open second coupling member 40 for fluid flow therethrough. Second
coupling member 40 also includes a body 42 having a second axial
passageway 44 extending along an axis from a receiving end 45 to a
trailing end 46. Receiving end 45 is sized to receive first
coupling member body portion 24 and defines a second opening to the
mouth of second axial passageway 44.
[0016] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, second coupling member
40 also includes an inwardly facing polygonal-shaped cavity 48
sized to receive polygonal-shaped protrusion 26 on first coupling
member 22 when first and second coupling members 22, 40 are
connected to inhibit relative rotation between first and second
coupling members 22, 40. In an embodiment, polygonal-shaped cavity
48 is positioned within body 42 of second coupling member 40. In
the illustrated configuration, polygonal-shaped cavity 48 is
generally hexagonal in shape to receive the corresponding
hexagonal-shaped protrusion 26 on first coupling member 22.
[0017] In addition to their cooperative anti-rotation capability,
polygonal-shaped protrusion 26 and polygonal-shaped cavity 48 may
be keyed to permit the connection of only certain coupling members.
For example, if fluid coupling 20 is designated to transmit a first
type of fluid, e.g., fuel, the fluid coupling may be provided with
a hexagonal-shaped protrusion/cavity combination. In contrast, if
fluid coupling 20 is designated to transmit a second type of fluid,
e.g., hydraulic fluid, the fluid coupling may be provided with an
octagonal-shaped protrusion/cavity combination. In this manner, a
first member with a hexagonal-shaped protrusion would not be able
to connect with a second member having an octagonal-shaped
cavity.
[0018] In an embodiment, the first stage of second coupling member
40 includes a generally cylindrical retainer sleeve 50 positioned
to be engaged and moved by first coupling member 22 from a first
position (see, e.g., FIG. 1), in which at least one locking member
52 is stowed, to a second position (see, e.g., FIG. 3), in which
locking member 52 is deployed to connect first coupling member 22
to second coupling member 40. Retainer sleeve 50 may include a
spring 54 or other resiliently compressible member yieldingly
urging the retainer sleeve toward the first position. In a
particular configuration, locking member 52, which may include an
arc-shaped latch or a ball, is adapted for receipt in a groove 56
in body portion 24 when first coupling member 22 is connected to
second coupling member 40. When deployed, locking member 52 is
prevented from moving to the stowed position by an axially slidable
and generally cylindrical release sleeve 58, which includes a
spring or other resiliently compressible member 60 yieldingly
urging release sleeve 58 and locking member 52 toward the deployed
position shown in FIG. 3.
[0019] In an embodiment, the second stage of second fluid coupling
40 includes a nut 62 rotatably connected to body 42, such as by a
threaded connection, for axial movement thereon. A second valve
member 64 may be connected to nut 62 for axial movement therewith
using a retaining member 65, such as a locking ring(s), which
enables nut 62 to rotate relative to second valve member 64. Nut 62
may also include an adapter portion 28', which may be rotatably
connected to nut 62 for relative rotation therebetween. The
interface between adapter portion 28' and either nut 62 or second
valve member 64 may include a seal to inhibit fluid leakage.
[0020] In the illustrated configuration, second valve member 64
includes a head 66 engageable with first valve member 34. Head 66
is adapted to urge first valve member 34 toward the open position
when nut 62 is rotated in a first direction and to permit first
valve member 34 to be moved toward the closed position when nut 62
is rotated in a second direction. Second valve member 64 includes
at least one port 67 that allows passage of fluid through the
second valve member when second coupling member 64 is opened to
fluid flow.
[0021] The second stage of second valve member 40 may also include
a valve sleeve 68 having a spring or other resiliently compressible
member 70 yieldingly urging the valve sleeve into sealing
engagement with second valve member 64. When so configured, first
coupling member body portion 24 is adapted to inhibit movement of
valve sleeve 68 when first coupling member 22 is connected to
second coupling member 40, which permits second valve member 64 to
separate from valve sleeve 68 and fluid to flow through second
coupling member 40 (see, e.g., FIG. 4).
[0022] Referring to FIG. 6, a second coupling member 140 according
to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the
illustrated embodiment, second coupling member 140 includes a first
stage adapted to connect first coupling member 22 to second
coupling member 140 while second coupling member 140 is closed, and
a second stage adapted to open second coupling member 140 for fluid
flow therethrough. Second coupling member 140 also includes a body
142 having a second axial passageway 144 extending along an axis
from a receiving end 145 to a trailing end 146. Receiving end 145
is sized to receive first coupling member body portion 24 and
defines a second opening to second axial passageway 144.
[0023] Second coupling member 140 also includes an inwardly facing
polygonal-shaped cavity 148 sized to receive polygonal-shaped
protrusion 26 on first coupling member 22 when first and second
coupling members 22, 140 are connected to inhibit relative rotation
between first and second coupling members 22, 140. In an
embodiment, polygonal-shaped cavity 148 is positioned within body
142 of second coupling member 140. In the illustrated
configuration, polygonal-shaped cavity 148 is generally hexagonal
in shape to receive the corresponding hexagonal-shaped protrusion
26 on first coupling member 22, but is not necessarily limited
thereto.
[0024] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the first stage of
second coupling member 140 includes a generally cylindrical
retainer sleeve 150 positioned to be engaged and moved by first
coupling member 22 from a first position (see, e.g., FIG. 6), in
which at least one locking member 52 is stowed, to a second
position, in which locking member 152 is deployed to connect first
coupling member 22 to second coupling member 140. Retainer sleeve
150 includes a spring 154 or other resiliently compressible member
yieldingly urging the retainer sleeve toward the first position.
When deployed, locking member 152 is prevented from moving to the
stowed position by an axially slidable and generally cylindrical
release sleeve 158, which includes a spring or other resiliently
compressible member 160 yieldingly urging release sleeve 158 and
locking member 152 toward the deployed position. Spring 160 is
supported on body 142 by a retainer 161 that may be secured to body
142 with a locking ring or the like.
[0025] In an embodiment, the second stage of second fluid coupling
140 includes a nut 162 rotatably connected, such as by a threaded
connection, to body 142 for axial movement thereon. A second valve
member 164 may be connected to nut 162 for axial movement therewith
using a retaining member 165, such as a locking ring, which enables
nut 162 to rotate relative to second valve member 164. Nut 162 may
include an adapter 128', such as a threaded adapter, which is
rotatably connected to nut 162. The interface between the adapter
128' and either nut 162 or second valve member 164 may include a
seal to inhibit fluid leakage therebetween. Adapter 128' may be
rotatably connected to nut 162 using a set-screw retained ball 167
or other locking mechanism, such as a locking ring and the
like.
[0026] In the illustrated configuration, second valve member 164
includes a head 166 engageable with first valve member 34 and
adapted to urge first valve member 34 toward the open position when
nut 162 is rotated in a first direction and to permit first valve
member 34 to be moved toward the closed position when nut 162 is
rotated in a second direction. The second stage of second valve
member 140 may also include a valve sleeve 168 having a spring or
other resiliently compressible member 170 yieldingly urging the
valve sleeve into sealing engagement with second valve member 164.
When so configured, first coupling member body portion 24 is
adapted to inhibit movement of valve sleeve 168 when first coupling
member 22 is connected to second coupling member 140, which permits
second valve member 164 to separate from valve sleeve 168 and fluid
to flow through second coupling member 140.
[0027] Connection and operation of fluid coupling 20 will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 1-5. In an embodiment, first
coupling member 22 is first inserted into second coupling member 40
causing body portion 24 to engage and move retainer sleeve 50 to
expose locking members 52. During insertion, polygonal-shaped
protrusion 26 is aligned with polygonal-shaped cavity 48. Upon
sufficient movement of first coupling member 22 into second
coupling member 40, locking members 52 are deployed into groove 56
on body portion 24 and release sleeve 58 is moved by spring 60 to a
position that prevents locking members from being pushed from their
deployed position. At this point, first and second coupling members
22, 40 are connected, first valve member 34 is in the closed
position and polygonal-shaped protrusion 26 is received in
polygonal-shaped cavity 48 to inhibit relative rotation between
first and second coupling members 22, 40.
[0028] To permit fluid flow through fluid coupling 20, nut 62 is
rotated in the first direction, e.g., clockwise, causing second
valve member 64 to be moved axially within second axial passageway
44. Axial movement of second valve member 64 forces the engaged
first valve member 34 to be moved toward the open position (see,
e.g., FIG. 4). Rotation of body 42 with nut 62 is inhibited by
virtue of polygonal-shaped protrusion 26 engaging the inner surface
of polygonal-shaped cavity 48. Nut 62 may be rotated until it
engages release sleeve 58, at which point first valve member 34 is
in the open position and full fluid flow is permitted through fluid
coupling 20. To terminate fluid flow through fluid coupling 20,
such as when fluid coupling 20 is to be disconnected, nut 62 may be
rotated in the second direction, e.g., counter-clockwise, to move
first valve member 34 back to the closed position and second valve
member 64 into sealing engagement with valve sleeve 68. When nut 62
is sufficiently rotated, release sleeve 58 may be retracted on body
42 to allow locking members to move out of groove 56 and first
coupling member 22 to be removed from second coupling member
40.
[0029] The present invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, which are
merely illustrative of the best modes for carrying out the
invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that
various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described
herein may be employed in practicing the invention without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in
the following claims. It is intended that the following claims
define the scope of the invention and that the method and apparatus
within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered
thereby. This description of the invention should be understood to
include all novel and non-obvious combinations of elements
described herein, and claims may be presented in this or a later
application to any novel and non-obvious combination of these
elements. Moreover, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and
no single feature or element is essential to all possible
combinations that may be claimed in this or a later
application.
* * * * *